Little boy has life-changing surgery

Watching a tiny child on a tiny table and a team of grown-ups all around him, we saw how dramatically a life can change in minutes. The team at St. Luke's Roosevelt worked on two and a half year old Maddox Flynn on Friday.

We first met him Thursday night. A bundle of energy and joy unaffected yet by the growth on his face. He was born with it and it has continued to grow throughout his short life.

Doctors across his native Canada said there was nothing that could be done for him and that no one could help. But Maddox's father vowed that he would never give up trying.

Enter Dr. Milton Waner here in New York City. He was familiar with the rare medical issues involved and said he'd be happy to help.

On Friday, he did.

On the family's Facebook page, they wrote, "Well, what a day!!! Maddox had a success surgery and is in ICU recovering safe and sound. Maddox will have a drainage tube for the next few days helping him out with the recovery process. Maddox will have a world of support when he wakes up to see his mother and grandmother are there to greet him as well. Tomorrow he will also be greeted by more supportive family members. God bless and thank you so much for your on going support, love, prayers, donations and continued love."

Maddox's parents received more than $214,000 in donations from people and organizations to help foot the bill to travel here and pay for the surgery.

The donations have exceeded the expectations of the family. They have consulted a lawyer who is now handling the trust fund.

The family's plan is to use the money for any complications that may arise from Maddox's condition in the short-term. And if there is any excess money, the family wants to start a foundation to help other families dealing with similar situations.

Following Friday's surgery, Maddox will also have to go back for a second surgery that's booked for September. That surgery will reconstruct the lower part of his face.